LYNN — The city’s first responders gathered at Cuffe-McGinn Funeral Home Friday for a cookout honoring their service to the community.
“We just want to recognize them,” Cuffe-McGinn Funeral Home General Manager Eric Daniels said.
Daniels, who is a former police officer, said more than 70 members of the city’s police department, fire department, and emergency medical services braved the rain to stop by the lawn of the funeral home. There, they relaxed and had a bite to eat at an event that Daniels said has become an annual tradition.
“The sign out front (is) ‘Last Responders celebrating first responders,’” Daniels said. “We’re the last responders.”
The event began in 2015 and Daniels said this year marked the first time it was held since before the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It’s (a tradition) we want to continue,” John Kobuszewski, funeral director at Cuffe-McGinn Funeral Home and one of the cookout’s organizers, said.
Lynn Police Deputy Chief Mark O’Toole said that the event is something his department appreciated.
O’Toole said one of the best parts of the cookout was that officers were able to sit down with their fellow first responders from other departments, who they normally only see on the job.
“We’re usually at a scene and see each other in passing,” O’Toole said. “It’s nice to have a meal with them and talk to them in a relaxed atmosphere.”
Lynn Fire Chief Dan Sullivan also attended the gathering. He said that although first responders tend to shy away from recognition, it felt good to have the community come together to honor them.
“We spend a lot of time and effort helping out the public and we try not to look for any kind of recognition,” Sullivan said. “To have the community put something together like this, it’s an honor.”
Like O’Toole, Sullivan also noted how special it was for the city’s first responders to be able to gather at events like Friday’s cookout and see old friends.
“We have a really good relationship,” Sullivan said. “Most of us, we all grew up together.”
